Question Choosing a backup program

[jhsachs]

I'm a former user of NovaBACKUP, looking for a new backup solution for Windows 10. I'm here to ask for recommendations.

I'm leaving NovaBACKUP because they no longer sell it, they only license it a year at a time. (I'd as soon rent my underwear as use limited-term licensed software for an essential function like backup.)

My criteria so far are:

• An established product with professional standards and a significant user community.
• Free or sold with perpetual license for a moderate price (preferably under $60).
• Runs under Windows 10; updates for new versions of Windows may be expected.
• Has a simple GUI interface that is not prone to cause user error.
• Can store a set of parameters that I can use to run a specific type of backup by selecting a stored job.
• Makes backups to removable media of my choice (not to the Cloud).
• Makes system image backups that can be restored to bare metal by booting a disaster recovery medium.
• Makes file backups:
  Makes full backups, differential backups, and incremental backups.
  Can restore a complete backup, a single file, or any set of files.
  Can restore an old version of file(s) from an appropriate backup.
  Can back up files that are "in use" by Windows or always-running applications.

I say "my criteria so far" because I added that last item after selecting AOMEI Backupper Standard, and discovering that it can't back up files in use. Until this happened it never occurred to me that a serious backup program might lack that feature. Here's hoping I get no more unpleasant surprises like that one.

 

[USAFRet]

I use Macrium Reflect exclusively, and it would seem to meet all your requirements.

Somewhat modified since I wrote this, but the first post here is my basic routine:

What is your backup situation at home?

What is your backup situation at home? And if you don't do that, why not? Every single day, I read multiple threads here of "How do I get my stuff back?" or "That drive had 5 years of photos of my kids!!" Be it a dead drive, dropped phone, virus, accidental deletion, formatting the wrong...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[USAFRet]

And kudos to you for being proactive with your data.
Far too many people aren't.